Sterling C. Evans (1899- 2001) banker, rancher, and namesake of Texas
A & M University's Sterling C. Evans Library, was born in Devine,
Tex. 5 August 1899, the third child of the four children of John Henry Evans
and Emily Evaline Crutchfield Evans. The elder Evans arrived in Texas from
Burnt Corn, Ala. as a teenaged migrant farm worker. In succeeding years, he
married and purchased a farm in Devine, Tex. When he sold the farm in Devine,
the family moved to Melon, Tex., where the four Evans children rode a horse to
a one-room school. So that he could attend high school, Sterling C. Evans moved
in with a family friend in Uvalde, Tex. and eventually graduated president of
the class of 1917. After visiting with a friend at Texas A & M
University, Evans was so impressed by the school that he enrolled himself.
Evans graduated from Texas A & M University in 1921 with a degree
in Animal Husbandry. It was during his tenure at Texas A & M
University that Sterling C. Evans developed his life-long love for livestock,
literature and the Texas A & M University itself.

During his
undergraduate years at Texas A & M, Evans became the school's
leading student in livestock judging-a skill he maintained and would use the
rest of his life in discriminating keepers from culls among the Santa Gertrudis
cattle and Quarter Horses he raised on his ranches.

In his sophomore
year of college, Evans was admitted to the Texas A & M University
chapter of the prestigious liberal arts college organization called the Junto
Society, founded by then director of the Texas A & M University
library, Thomas Mayo. The original chapter of the Junto Society has been
founded in 1727 by Benjamin Franklin, and ultimately became the nucleus of the
American Philosophical Society. The cited purpose of the society was
"to seek out the truth, encourage good fellowship,
and take advantage of the benefits of occasional wine and song." Evans
once recalled "it was one of the most interesting
groups with which I've ever been associated." Evans practiced the
self-educating process encouraged by Mayo and the Junto Society throughout his
life, resulting in his ability to quote Shakespeare, the Bible, Dickens, or
Marcus Aurelius with relative ease.

In 1921, despite the Great Depression
looming, Sterling Evans was offered several intriguing opportunities upon his
graduation from Texas A & M, including an offer from a West Indies
sugar plantation. Nevertheless, it was Evans' Alma mater that called him to
service with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.

As part of TAES,
Evans traveled throughout the state working with county extension agents and
developing 4-H programs. It was during this time, at a county cooperative
meeting in Sherman, Tex., that he met Kate (also called Cathrene or Cathy)
Thomas who would become his wife in December 1922. It was also during this
period of time that he fell in love with the land and agricultural production.
He also learned that often success in farming and ranching had more to do with
financing, marketing, and credit than sweat, dedication and the weather.

In 1932, on the heels of Roosevelt's New Deal, Evans found a way to
parlay his experience with the farm cooperatives of the Texas High Plains to
gain entrance into the newly developed Federal Farm Credit Administration. In
the consolidation efforts, a search was conducted in Texas to find the person
most likely to make a success of the new program and, after numerous
recommendations especially by E. J. Kyle of the School of Agriculture at Texas
A & M University, Sterling Evans was made president of the Houston,
Tex. based Farm Bank for Cooperatives. After several years of proving his
adeptness in the banking industry, Evans was promoted to president of
the separate, but related, Federal Land Bank. His co-workers described his work
in building the bank to be manifested by intense business acumen and
vision.

In 1959, Evans retired from the Federal Land Bank because he
wished to spend more time in pursuit of his growing private business
interests-ranch partnerships with his friend Gus Wortham-and to begin his
appointed term on the Texas A & M Board of Regents.

Sterling
C. Evans had been excited to become an Aggie in 1917, when he first came to the
Texas A & M University campus, and it is said that, at the
Brackettville, Tex. celebration of his 100th birthday in August of 1999,
surrounded by friends and fellow Aggies from all around the world, he was
wearing his trademark Texas A & M maroon tie and sang along with
the Aggie War Hymn. For the rest of his life, Texas A & M and its
students had remained Evans' passion and the focus of his often extraordinary
generosity.

In 1952, as a member of the Association of Former Students,
Evans founded a loan fund for families wanting to send their sons to Texas A
& M. During that year, he also served on the board of the Texas A &
M Research Foundation, and the next year, he added a term on the board of the
Texas A & M Development Foundation. From 1959 to 1971, Evans served
on the Texas A & M University System Board of Directors (later the
Board of Regents), and was president of the board from 1963-1964.

It was
Evans appointment to the Texas A & M University Board of Directors
in 1959 that thrust him into the midst of a whirlwind of controversy about
admitting women to the all-male Texas A & M College. A proponent of
this mostly unpopular change, it was during Evans term on the Board of
Directors that he both observed and participated in the extreme political
maneuvers on the part of both sides of the controversy, until the
matriculation of the first class of Texas A & M freshman that included
women. In 1963, approximately 150 women began classes in the newly renamed
Texas A & M University during the presidential administration of
James Earl Rudder. However, it was not until 1971, the last year of Evans' term
on the board, that the university catalogue proclaimed an official policy of
the equal and unrestricted admission of academically qualified women to Texas A
& M University.

During the same period of time that he was
involved so closely in Texas A & M politics, Evans and his mentor
and friend, Gus Wortham, also built a highly successful partnership in buying
distressed ranch properties. After restoring these run-down properties, Evans
and Wortham would build successful agricultural businesses raising cattle and
crops, then find a marketing niche, and re-sell the properties at a profit. As
one newspaper reported in the early 1940s, Sterling C. Evans
"is responsible for putting the business in
agri-business."

Evans' first foray into the buying of farmland had
been his own purchase of 180 acres on the outskirts of College Station,
Tex., which he called Poor Acres. Evans sold this property in order to
come up with part of the down payment for his first joint venture with Wortham:
a 3,000 acre cotton plantation in Milam County, Tex. Over the next three
decades, Evans and Wortham bought and sold over half a dozen farms and ranches
in Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana. While the ranches the partners bought and
sold appear to have been successful endeavors, each had a unique marketing
angle, usually honed by Evans. Also, while owned by the Evans/Wortham
partnership, these ranches were very hospitable centers of society, where both
little known and world-renowned persons were equally entertained. Notably the
Cypress, Tex. Nine Bar Ranch and the Little Eva Plantation in Chopin, La. were
sites for extravagant social events, and were also visited by dignitaries from
all over the world, who were interested in breeding Santa Gertrudis cattle or
hybrid pecans.

The Little Eva Plantation, near Natchitoches, La., was
perhaps the greatest beneficiary of Evans' creative energies in that, in
addition to developing an enormous pecan operation, he reconstructed a
facsimile of the original of Uncle Tom's Cabin, and marked the graves of two
individuals who were supposedly the inspirations for characters in Harriet
Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, set in Louisiana. Additionally, Evans
and Wortham completely restored a historical African-American church that is
still located on the grounds of the plantation.

Evans was also
responsible for the first large-scale exportation of Santa Gertrudis cattle to
Russia, Venezuela, and Australia. Even into his later years, Evans maintained a
keen interest in the potential for developing increased agribusiness in Russia.
As late as the mid-1980s, Evans was still corresponding with Russian
agricultural officials about exploring the feasibility of setting up an
agricultural experiment station in Russia, to focus on research into the
cultivation of walnuts.

At age 93, Evans sold his ranch in Castroville,
Tex., bought his last new ranch, and moved his entire extended family to
Brackettville, Tex. At 95, he, along with close friends, even designed and
remodeled an entertainment enclave in Zacatecas, Mexico. There, Evans enjoyed
long evenings hosting dinners for friends, accompanied by the music of
mariachis, and, on most evenings, was the last one to retire. His accountant
told a biographer that, at age 98, he was still actively researching new
business opportunities. Evans' keen interest in all new developments in
business and agriculture, boosted by his indefatigable mental energy, is
evident throughout his fifty years of nearly continuous correspondence with
close personal friends, business acquaintances, as well as Texas A &
M University students, administrators, and faculty.

Sterling Evans died
5 July 2001 in Del Rio, Tex. and is buried beside his wife in the Community
Cemetery of Brackettville, Tex.

It might be noted that, according to
most authorities, the middle initial in Sterling C. Evans' name did not stand
for a given name. Evans merely adopted the initial at some point because he was
not given a middle name at birth, and he "liked the
way it sounded" with a middle initial to complete his name. Texas A &
M University's Sterling C. Evans Library is therefore named in honor of an
identity Evans forged for himself.

The papers reflect Evans' personal life, his
early career in the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, his
professional career with the Federal Land Bank, and his retirement
to a second career of investments in and operating large ranches and
plantations in Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana. In addition, the
papers reflect his generosity and his involvement with Texas A & M
University through his service to the Board of Regents during a
pivotal time in the university's history as well as his support of the
university library.

While the papers record Evans' early career, they
more extensively detail his agricultural business after his retirement from the
Federal Farm Credit Administration and the Federal Land Bank. This
post-retirement career is highlighted by a growing friendship with Gus Wortham
of Houston, Tex. and their joint real estate ventures such as: Randle Lake
Plantation in Milam County, Tex., Bear Lake Plantation in Tallulah, La.,
Crescent Plantation in Louisiana, Little Eva Plantation in Chopin, La., Nine
Bar Ranch in Cypress, Tex., and the U Bar Ranches in Medina County, Tex. and
Hidalgo County, N.M., as well as other smaller operations. These subject files
include personal correspondence, legal documents, financial documents,
photographs, brochures, advertising materials, and
news-clippings

Correspondence includes Evans' exchanges with his wife,
Cathrene Thomas Evans, and well-known professional associates such as: Gus
Wortham, W. N. Stokes, John Wasson, Eugene Butler, Mildred McCoy, Carl
Detering, John Lindsey, Earl Rudder, Frank Vandiver, William Mobley, Perry
Atkission, Ray Bowen, Irene Hoadley, Fred Heath, Ambassador Edward Clark, and
Dolph Briscoe. Also included is correspondence from many family members, and
close friends, as well as students from Texas A & M University and
Evans' former employees.

Usage Restrictions

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog of Cushing Memorial Library. Researchers wishing to find related materials
should search the catalog under these index terms.

Series 1. Personal Correspondence,
1863-1999 (bulk: 1949-1999).

Series 1. Personal Correspondence, 1863-1999 (bulk: 1949-1999)
consists mainly of social and informal correspondence, including letters,
greeting and Christmas cards. Also present are spiral bound guest notebooks
containing names and contact information for people who visited Evans at his
various ranches through the years. Also present with related correspondence is
an annotated draft of the foreword composed by Evans for the biography of Gus
Wortham, Gus Wortham: Portrait of a Leader, written by Fran Dressman (College
Station: Texas A & M University Press, 1994)

box-folder

1/1-16

Correspondence, 1938-1999.

Miscellaneous business and personal communications including
social notes, invitations, medical and miscellaneous informal correspondence.

box-folder

2/1

Greeting Cards. ITEM SEPARATED [held in box 3],
1978-1995

Numerous greeting cards from business affiliates, friends and family. Includes birthday and Christmas cards from 1978 to 1995 and undated.

Letters written by Evans to his wife while he was on business trips in New York, N.Y. and Washington, D.C. Six letters on Hotel Stationary: Waldorf Astoria, New York, NY and Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C.

box-folder

2/4

Inauguration of Texas Governor Allan Shivers,
1953

Invitation and program for inauguration of Texas Governor Allan Shivers in 1953

Correspondence, ticket stubs, hotel receipt, social invitations from the President of Texas A & M University, the Chancellor of Texas A & M University System, and the Director of the Sterling C. Evans Library, 1987

box-folder

2/7

Evans' 100th birthday celebration,
1999

Includes letter of congratulations from family and business executives. The Brackett News 29 July 1999 article on front page Evans Approaches Century Mark., also includes a birthday banner.

box-folder

2/8

Blank personal Stationery,
undated

Address "P.O. Box 777/Castroville,TX 78009"

box-folder

2/9

Guest books,
1949-1987

Three stenographer's notebooks, all in the same handwriting. Two recording telephone calls and addresses; one notebook of which is labeled as the "new book" and the other as "old book". Third notebook lists the visitors.

Series 2. Personal Financial and Legal Information, 1922-1994, (bulk: 1939-1993) contains mostly personal correspondence, including a few notes, pertaining to Evans' personal financial and legal affairs, particularly referring to family wills and estates. Financial documents include bank statements, tax forms, cancelled checks, ledgers, receipts, and materials about credit card accounts. Files are arranged with general correspondence, financial and legal materials presented first, followed by two groups of subject files, the first arranged alphabetically by names of persons, the second alphabetically by names of business or other corporate bodies.

box-folder

2/10

Correspondence between Evans and Gus Wortham,
1970

Letters concerning partnership and financial settlements [received in repository torn in four parts and taped back together]

box-folder

2/11

Correspondence,
13 Feb. 1973- 5 Aug. 1988

Concerns Evans' personal financial transactions. Includes Valentines cards, get well notes and thank you notes from personal friends

box-folder

2/12

Ledgers and check registers,
1959-1988

Contains photocopy of what appears to be a hand-written ledger for Evans' personal investments during 1959- 1982

box-folder

2/13

Investments and check register,
1978-1991

Investments and check register on handwritten ledger sheets for 1978-1991; individual computer print-outs of Evans assets and liabilities for years 1986 and 1988

box-folder

2/14

Check registers,
1983-1986.

Three registers numbered by hand in ink #5, #6, and #7

box-folder

2/15

Financial statements,
1977-1994

Original hand written in pencil ledger for the year 1977 (not bound). Photocopy of 1978 income ledger. Photocopy of income and disbursements 12/31/1997 year ending unbound. Bound monthly reports from accounting firms; reports for the years 1979-1983 and 1989 are not present

box-folder

2/16--19

Tax information,
1954-1983

Information, stubs, and receipts for charitable donations and miscellaneous expenses and income used in calculating Evans' personal tax returns; Income Reporting Slips for 1983

Birth Certificate for Sterling Evans' father. Also included are two pages of hand-written notes regarding the life of John B. Evans including his wife, Betty Roberts and her parents. Undated and author unknown. "John B. Evans" is believed to be John Bell Evans, John Henry's father.

box-folder

2/23--24

Ollie Evans Leuschner,
1981-1989.

Financial and inheritance matters concerning the estate of Evans' sister, including ownership maps and correspondence and a photocopy of the will of Ollie Evans Leuschner.

Financial and inheritance information from Dorothy Ann Kinney attorney-at-law to Mrs. Sterling C. Evans regarding the sale of shares from the estate of Clarice Thomas Scott. Includes a check register with a blank check from the account of Helen T. Sparks.

box-folder

5/6-7

Helen Thomas Sparks,
1979-1987.

Tax Returns and trial balance sheets. Correspondence between Evans and Mary Evelyne Miller concerning the inheritance of Helen Thomas Sparks. Dorothy Ann Kinney held the Power of Attorney for Helen Thomas Sparks. Correspondence between Dorothy Ann Kinney and Evans regarding what Evans inherited from Helen and Helen's accounts.

Correspondence concerning a large tract of investment real estate purchased from Texas A & M University by Evans and his partner Russell G. Peterson; miscellaneous financial documents, bank statements and ledgers

Series 3. Agribusiness and Ranches, 1864-1994 (bulk: 1953-1994)

Materials in Series 3. Agribusiness and Ranches, 1864-1994 (bulk: 1953-1994) detail the development of Evans' ranching enterprises. Correspondence records Evans' incisive decision-making and the strong friendships he made and maintained within the cattle industry. Particularly noteworthy is the record of Evans' successful partnership with Gus Wortham, from the early growth of their association and friendship, through to the partnership's amiable dissolution in later years. In particular, information found in subseries 3.3. Little Eva Plantation, Chopin, La., 1864-1991 (bulk: 1941-1970) highlights the importance Evans placed on cultivating the historical context of many of his ranches.

Subseries 3.1. Nine Bar Ranch, Cypress, Tex., 1953-1977 1953-1977

Subseries 3.1. Nine Bar Ranch, Cypress, Tex., 1953-1977 contains chiefly sale catalogues, Santa Gertrudis cattle breeding information, pedigrees, sales receipts, as well as some correspondence, advertising tear sheets and photographs of bulls, accompanied by many clippings regarding the Nine Bar Ranch in Cypress, Tex., owned by Sterling C. Evans and Gus Wortham. This was the first major ranching and marketing venture by the two partners. Also present are correspondence and sales materials concerning cattle sales to Russian buyers. Though only in existence for about twenty years, Nine Bar Ranch's history of operations set the pace for marketing strategies still emulated by a multitude of modern cattle and horse ranches.

Invitations and cattle auction sale catalogues from the annual Nine Bar Santa Gertrudis cattle sales, some catalogues annotated with sale prices and buyers' names; binders of cattle photographs, pedigrees, and advertising tear-sheets; a bull pedigree from 1968; two hard-bound books and one soft-bound booklet on the history of the Santa Gertrudis cattle breed, the King Ranch, and recognized breeders of the cattle

box-folder

7/5

Cattle sales chits,
1960-1972

Receipts from annual premium production sales, handwritten in pencil and stapled together by year

box-folder

7/6-7

Cattle sales to Russia,
1966-1985

Materials regarding several large cattle sales to Russian Breeders. Includes travel information for Evans' visit to Russia. Extensive correspondence from Russian visitors to Nine Bar Ranch

Clippings regarding Nine Bar Ranch social events and cattle marketing, sales, and visits from foreign cattle buyers; newspaper and tabloid articles about the premier sales held at the Nine Bar Ranch; photographs of bulls

box-folder

7/12

Santa Gertrudis Journal,
July 1973

An ad for Nine Bar Ranch on page 5 advertising the production sale of bulls and heifers on Oct. 10, 1973

box-folder

7/13

Photographs.
ITEM SEPARATED
undated

Photographs of 9-Ranch bulls. One appears to be a photograph of a painting

Subseries 3.2. U-Bar Ranches (1962-1992), is composed predominantly of financial documents, advertising and promotional materials for cattle sales, photographs of ranch home interiors and exteriors, and correspondence surrounding the ownership and operation of three large ranches in Texas and New Mexico. Also present are several plat maps and blueprints housed separately as oversized items. Files are arranged first by type, with correspondence, then general financial and legal files, followed by a group of financial and legal subject files arranged alphabetically by topic, and finally files of photographs and clippings, followed by oversized maps and blueprints.

box-folder

7/14-15

Correspondence,
1962-1986

Miscellaneous correspondence: with hired hands and bankers; concerning ranch employees as well as Evans' college financial assistance to children of employees; regarding ranch operations and social events

box-folder

7/16-17

Financial and legal documents,
1968-1977

Bill of sale showing purchase of ranch at auction; documents showing transfers of assets and agreements; deeds, release of lien, security, etc. for purchase of ranch; Profit/loss reports; document introducing the ranch for sale to Evans as Medina Ranch; financial reports and statements

Copies of various appraisals of resources of ranch. 2 bound appraisal reports containing sketches of room house and land dimensions, color photographs, and narrative section with purpose of appraisal, land description, descriptions of improvements and value of land. One bound supplemental report.

Information on prospective buyers for Sterling C. Evans' five million dollar U Bar Ranch in Castroville, Tex., ultimately sold to H. B. Zachry through the Texas A & M Development Foundation to settle the estate of Cathrene Evans. Includes earnest money contracts; authorization to sell; water bacteriology reports; combined projected cash flow for Robert A. and Norma Felburg were the buyers of U Bar Ranch; warranty deed to Texas A&M Development Foundation as Trustee; open market agreement; eight 4 in. x 6 in. color photographs of U Bar Ranch with captions.

box-folder

8/19

Real Estate. Sheldon Z. Wert and A. D. Taylor,
1973-1981

Concerning a tract of land in Bexar County, Tex. and a sale between Sheldon Z. Wert and A.D. Taylor. Itemized list of legal services regarding the negotiation of land sale with Samuel R. Lyle, et al. With charges for an oil, gas, and mineral lease. Agreement of sale for farm equipment and baled hay on U Bar Ranch, 1977; bill of sale; title of insurance; warranty deed; A.D. Taylor is the buyer. Photocopies of receipts for cattle equipment, optional contract Sheldon Z. Wert , seller of U Bar Ranch; Evans was the buyer.

box-folder

8/20

Real Estate. Rio Vista property,
1976-1981

Abstract for land in San Antonio, Tex. Includes receipt for the updated survey of U Bar Ranch. Survey includes building layouts

box-folder

9/1

Receipts for automobiles,
1973-1982

Original purchase receipts; photocopy of car service receipts

box-folder

9/2-3

Taxes,
1968-1984

Property county receipts for taxes paid in Hidalgo County, N.M.; tax assessments and protests ; tax receipts and agricultural exemption information, Bexar County, Tex. For 1980-1984

box-folder

9/4

U. S. Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service,
1978-1994

Miscellaneous forms and correspondence, including pecan crop payment and the establishment of crop yields. Federal cost-sharing for soil and water conservation in clearing trees for cattle grazing forms

box-folder

9/5

Warranties and contracts,
1977-1981

Deposit slips from City Public Service. Maintenance agreements for machinery, type writers, scooter, horse registration forms, written agreements for hay

Subseries 3.3. Little Eva Plantation, Chopin, La., 1864-1991 (bulk: 1955-1979) contains correspondence, financial and legal documents, advertising and promotional materials, photographs and related clippings or articles concerning not only the running of the Little Eva Plantation in Chopin, La., but both the replica of the original building on the plantation known as Uncle Tom's Cabin, removed from the property with permission of the plantation owner, and never returned, by D. B. Corley in 1893 for display at the Chicago World's Fair, and the Uncle Tom's Cabin Museum in Dresden, Ontario, Canada. Titles of files in the papers are, for the most part, the same as those found on existing files and envelopes as received in the repository. Files in the series are arranged generally by format, then by subject, beginning with a file of background historical material on the Little Eva Plantation, followed by files of general correspondence and general financial materials, followed by a section of subject files arranged in alphabetical order covering topics such as cattle breeding, purchases and sales, insurance, investments, invoices and receipts, land sales and purchases, leases for land and oil, loans, pecan and soybean crops, taxes, Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site, ending with files of photographs, clippings, slides, microfilm and oversized maps and drawings. Noted as ITEM SEPARATED are a group of six oversized ledger books and maps which are housed separately in the repository.

box-folder

9/8

Background Information on Little Eva Plantation,
1864

U.S. Civil War era background materials and maps; transcripts of Civil War letters, dated from 18 Apr. 1864-6 Apr. 1965, and communications apparently from in and around the area of Natchitoches and Alexandria, La. and the Little Eva Plantation. Also maps [ITEM SEPARATED] of Cane River Crossing, dated April 1864, and Monett's Ferry, dated 1864

box-folder

9/9-13

Correspondence,
1955-1977

Correspondence, clippings, and a photograph collected by Evans when contemplating the purchase of the Little Eva Plantation. Included are dossiers from the Central Louisiana Claim Service, a firm of private investigators hired by Evans. Some correspondence pertains to the possible reprinting of Daniel E. Corley's book, A Visit to Uncle Tom's Cabin, as well as attempts to gather biographical information on Robert B. Corley and Robert McAlpin, the latter plantation owner supposedly represented in Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, as Simon Legree. Biographical information present on both Daniel E. Corley and Robert McAlpin, along with a photograph of Corley; also newspaper clippings concerning Little Eva Plantation, as well as the Corley book. Other correspondence pertains to land acquisitions and title disputes; photographs and magazine stories on the plantation. Considerable correspondence on Evans' idea that corporations might want to contract to buy pecans for candy-making. One letter from Denton A. Cooley, M.D. concerning a heart exam of an individual. Some correspondence with St. Simon Baptist Church and Springhill Baptist Church concerning the removal of the church on the plantation and Evans' financial assistance; correspondence with Mildred McCoy, owner of the Bayou Folk Museum housed in the former home of author, Kate Chopin. Numerous discussions concerning land, pecan crop, and hired help; correspondence concerning possible sale of plantation, pecan crop information, vendors of supplies and machinery, and, of note, a letter and brochure stating that a location in Dresden Ontario, Canada is the original inspiration for Uncle Tom's Cabin; correspondence chiefly concerning the last efforts to sell the plantation and advice of its sell. Numerous clippings present also. Death of Gus Wortham mentioned in a 1976 letter

Records of Little Eva Plantation cattle sold to buyers and shipped to N.M.; weight cards and sales receipts for sales of cattle. Also included is legal transfer of 9- (Nine Bar) brand to new Little Eva Plantation owners, A. D. Taylor and David E. DeVille. King Ranch cattle and horse literature as well as solicitations from cattle buyers. Cattle purchase receipts 9-chits of sold cattle. Horse breeding advertisements.

box-folder

10/8-10

Insurance,
1957-1978

Bound insurance proposal from Niagra Fire Insurance Company with 18 4 in. x 6 in. photos of the plantation in Louisiana including a plot map and correspondence and invoices concerning insurance coverage on Little Eva Plantation, and, to a minor extent, on the U-Bar Ranch, principally from John L. Wortham & Son Insurance Co. Also present are documents concerning a large personal injury claim and court award. Photocopies of insurance payments and policies. Automotive insurance policies from The Maryland.

box-folder

10/11

Investments. Mississippi Chemical Corporation,
1958-1980

Correspondence and investment documents from Mississippi Chemical Corporation, a company in which Evans apparently invested at its inception, and with which Evans continued to do business for his ranches. Includes patronage refund allocation stubs

box-folder

10/12

Invoices and receipts,
1973-1974

Sales chits from furniture purchases. Invoice and bill of lading for moving of the contents of Evans' house at Nine Bar Ranch in Cypress, Tex. to Little Eva Plantation in Chopin, La.; receipts and correspondence concerning remodeling the home at Little Eva Plantation including hand drawn floor plans and a layout of estimated cost of services. Photocopies of plumbing bills and appliances.

box-folder

10/13

Loans. Alexandria Production Credit Association,
1973-1979

Loan documents from and correspondence with Alexandria Production Credit Association. Includes collateral pledges, statements of interest and fees paid to Production Credit Association, and annual income and expense reports

box-folder

10/14

Loans. Federal Land Bank of Louisiana,
1959-1983

Various loan documents, financial projections, and correspondence from and with the Federal Land Bank of Louisiana. Loan applications, annual balance sheets, finance statements, account statements and payment receipts. Loan disbursement statements, where Evans' name is misspelled on the documents as "Stirling". Financial disclosure statements and stock certificates.

box-folder

10/15

Oil leases,
1977-1982

Oil leases on Louisiana hill land and bottom-land owned by Evans; correspondence, legal documents and photocopies of checks regarding mineral leases on Little Eva Plantation. Includes plot and contour maps and tax receipts

box-folder

10/16

Operations,
1961-1977

Photocopies of articles regarding pecan crop production brochures for Little Eva. Contracted agricultural studies on crop yields, maps, brochures, inventories of farm equipment, production projections, affidavits of size, copy of mineral lease, copy of deed in which Evans purchases an undivided half-interest from Wortham of Little Eva Plantation, U Bar Ranch and other aspects of the Equipment inventory and plot maps with areas indicated by hand in colored pencil.

Agricultural leases for land sale. Photocopies of mortgage. Correspondence concerning leases and sales of Little Eva. Six black and white 8 x 10 inch photos and one color 8 x 10 inch picture of farm scenes. Correspondence with many different parties concerning the prospect of purchasing the Little Eva Plantation; copies of important documents related to sale of Little Eva Plantation, including reproduced financial and descriptive documents; papers recording sale of Little Eva Plantation [31 Dec. 1975-June 1987]; final transaction documents for the sale of Little Eva Plantation, including a photograph of closing-day gathering in the office; documents related to closing of sale and final settlement; records of sales, transfers, and plat maps; newspaper and tabloid clippings of articles related to Uncle Tom's Cabin, the Little Eva Plantation and its pecan orchards. Also included are many photographs and real estate brochures. One letter present from the person who apparently bought the plantation from Evans. Also included is a log of the oil well from Newman Brothers Drilling Company, the deed for Little Eva, Survey maps of the plantation, and the state of Louisiana tax receipts.

box-folder

12/6a

Documents,
undated

Important documents including mineral leases, affidavit, pecan inspection report, list of equipment on Little Eva, and costs and returns on pecans. Some documents were photocopied for the purpose of selling Little Eva, including an oil/mineral lease, plot maps, and pecan information

File created by Rex Fair Real Estate contains photographs and advertising material apparently used to sell the Little Eva Plantation. Descriptive photographs of land and houses as well as professionally produced sales literature; brochure from Rex Fair Real Estate. Fifteen 4 x 4 inch color photographs, two 5 x 7 inch color photographs, and an article titled, "A Statistical Profile of the City of Natchitoches and Natchitoches Parish." ITEM SEPARATED one page written description of property indicated by hand with pink pencil; forty-eight photographs mounted on black paper (twelve pages with four photos per page) with captions. Photographs are 4 x 5 inch color. Also includes twelve 4 x 5 inch color photographs of interior and exterior of one of the houses on the property.

box-folder

12/9a

Inspection reports,
undated

Inspection reports of pecans on Little Eva Plantation. Includes a list of farm equipment found on Little Eva, photocopies of photographs of Little Eva, and plot maps of Natchitoches parish.

box-folder

12/10

Real Estate. Land sales. Taylor land,
1953-1954

Surveys, correspondence from the law offices of J.A. Robinson and Watson and Williams, as well as miscellaneous documents concerning acquisition of property called the Taylor land in Louisiana, survey of Chopin Plantation dated 3 May 1958, four boundary surveys of Little Eva plantation dated 17 January 1958, 16 August 1962, 23 July 1964, and 21 March 1962

box-folder

12/11

Real Estate. Land sales and leases. David Deville,
1977-1981

Photocopies of "Act of Exchange" land releases. Documents and correspondence concerning personal notes held by Evans for David Deville, related to the purchase of Little Eva Plantation; documents and correspondence concerning agricultural lease and ownership transfer of Louisiana bottom land leased to Deville by Evans

box-folder

12/12

Stock certificates,
1965-1976

Stock certificates for grain cooperative and statements of capital credit.

box-folder

12/13--14

Taxes,
1955-1978

Receipts for county and state property tax paid by Evans on land and cattle owned in Louisiana; documents pertaining to taxes refunded for farm use of oil and gas

Correspondence and a few clippings concerning Evans' interest in publishing a reprint of the book A Visit to Uncle Tom's Cabin written by D. B. Corley, published in 1895. In 1893, D. B. Corley had persuaded the plantation owner to allow the original of Uncle Tom's Cabin to be transported to the Chicago World's Fair for display. Since, according to Evans, Corley never saw that the original cabin was returned to the plantation, Evans had a modern replica reconstructed from available illustrations and descriptions. Also present is a photostatic copy of the Library of Congress copy of Corley's book. Correspondence with J. D. Thomson, curator of Uncle Tom's Cabin Museum in Dresden, Ontario, Canada. [Later Uncle Tom's Historic Site.] [For microfilm of the Library of Congress copy of the Corley book see folder D13 ]

box-folder

12/16

"A Visit to Uncle Tom's Cabin",
undated

The book "A Visit to Uncle Tom's Cabin", by D. B. Corley, a reprint of 1893 edition. Seventy-eight pages.

box-folder

13/1

U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural and Stabilization Service,
1973-1976

Documents from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural and
Stabilization Service

Subseries 3.4. Other Agricultural Properties, 1941-1980 (bulk: 1941-1970) is comprised of financial documents, advertising and promotion materials, photographs, and correspondence regarding the Randle Lake Plantation in Thorndale, Tex., the Bear Lake Plantation and the Crescent Plantation, both in Tallulah, La., and the Big Bear Ranch, as well as several other properties owned or co-owned by Evans. Many of these files represent activities in the earliest portion of Evans' career as a ranch owner. The files are arranged first in groups by name of partnership or property, and, within each of those groups, generally by format or type of materials. A few fairly general files, including clippings, are placed just after the end of the entire group of named property files.

Financial data on ranching interests held jointly by Wortham and Evans

box-folder

13/11-12

Real estate. Wortham & Evans,
1967-1973

Materials concerning dissolution and disposition of Wortham & Evans Properties includes correspondence between Wortham and Evans, as well as legal documents concerning separation of properties, 1967-1973

Recipe for beef cattle protein supplement, income and expense statements for the Wortham & Evans partnership for years 1967-1968, news clippings and letter concerning a 'pear-burner' to control prickly pear cactus, miscellaneous correspondence

box-folder

14/13

Depreciation Schedule
1987, 1987.

Photocopy of full size ledger sheets for depreciation schedules.

box-folder

14/14

Real estate. Land sales,
27 July 1936

Warranty deed for 336 acres in LaSalle County, Texas

box-folder

14/15

Real estate. Land sales,
29 Dec. 1986- 15 June 1988

Prospective land acquisitions. Various pitches by individuals and real estate companies for Evans to consider properties available for purchase. Includes 4 x 6 inch color photographs (10) of a ranch in Uvalde, TX. One 3 x 4 inch color photograph of the ranch in between Leakey and Campwood, TX.

Sub-series 3.5. Cattle Sales, 1950-1984

Subseries 3.5. Cattle Sales (1950-1984) includes mainly cattle sale catalogues from mostly other ranches than Evans'; some correspondence, advertising materials and brochures representing Evans' ranches and plantations as well as those owned by his many friends and business associates. Many of the outside sales had Evans' cattle consigned to them. Additionally, many of the ranches had foundation herd-stock purchased from Wortham's and Evans' Nine Bar Ranch in Texas. Files are arranged by format, with correspondence followed by cattle sales general information, then by a group of cattle sales catalogues arranged alphabetically by name of ranch. A file of miscellaneous cattle sale catalogues and one of clippings complete the subseries.

box-folder

14/19

Correspondence,
1977-1983

Correspondence related to Santa Gertrudis Auctions including letters of thanks from owners and managers of ranches; correspondence, along with publications, concerning advertising and other miscellaneous matters

Series 4. Texas A & M University, 1954-2001

Series 4. Texas A & M University (1954-2001) is comprised chiefly of correspondence between Evans and several administrative units of Texas A & M University, as well as the Aggie Club and Former Students Association. Also present is a telegram of the then U. S. senator from Texas, Price Daniel, a program for the 1973 Texas A & M University commencement exercises and a file of clippings. Files are arranged first by format with correspondence files sub-arranged alphabetically by name of university group, followed by three separate files for a telegram, the program and clippings. Subseries 4.1. Sterling C. Evans Library, (1975-1994) contains materials more directly related to Evans' patronage of the Texas A & M University Libraries.

box-folder

15/14

Correspondence. Administration,
1 July 1983- 13 June 1994

Correspondence with the Texas A & M University Administration, including correspondence regarding engagements of the Friends of the Sterling C. Evans Library; three 4 x 6 inch black and white photos of Eugene Butler and Evans

Subseries 4.1. Sterling C. Evans Library, 1975-1994

Subseries 4.1. Sterling C. Evans Library (1975-1994), containing mainly correspondence and articles, with some photographs, illustrates Evans' involvement as a benefactor of the Texas A & M University Libraries, and the high level of esteem in which he was held by administrators, faculty and staff within the library. Evans' patronage had a profound effect on elevating the status of Sterling C. Evans Library to that of a nationally ranked research institution.

Program, speech, and related news clippings for 1975 Dedication of Sterling Evans Library; invitation, photographs, and program for 1979 Dedication of Evans Library building addition; correspondence, issues of library newsletters, script of a speech given by writer James Michener at library fundraiser hosted by Evans; San Antonio Excellence Dinner materials, including interview with James Michener, photographs of guests, Evans, and newspaper item describing event

box-folder

15/26

Photographs. ITEM SEPARATED [held in box 20/3],
undated.

Pictures of Evans with friends and library personnel. Later pictures depict Evans in his home and office in a donor development visit by Fred Heath, Dean of TAMU Library and Adelle Heddleston and Dorothy Whitely. Eighteen color 4 x 6 inch color photographs; one black and white 5 x 7 inch; five color 3 x 5 inch

box-folder

15/27

Clippings and articles,
1974-2000

Clippings and other published articles concern: Evans donation to library; article in The Texas Aggie about Evans and the library; library publication about Arco donation to library; miscellaneous newspaper clippings and newsletter concerning Evans' philanthropic efforts on behalf of Sterling C. Evans Library. Two periodicals "Spirit: News from the Texas A & M Foundation". Spring 1998 issue features Sterling C. Evans on front cover and is autographed by him as well. Article regarding Evans appears on pages 2-3 and was written by Mary Jo Powell. Spring 2000 issue, page 15, displays John H. Lindsey '44 of Houston, who became the third recipient of the Sterling C. Evans medal.

One letter from 1964 from Internal Revenue Service references checks (attached) supplied in the Dr. Ross, 1983-1987 Margraves income tax investigation. One letter from 1974 references a silver replacement for Mrs. Sterling Evans. The bulk of the correspondence is comprised of personal notes and Christmas cards

Series 6. Writings and Memorabilia, 22 March 1939-1994 and undated

Series 6. Writings and Memorabilia, (22 March 1939-1994 and undated) contains a journal kept by Evans from 22 March-June 1939, recording a trip to Brazil to study that country's cotton industry, daily diaries, clipped and handwritten or typed quotations and poems, published books, booklets and brochures collected by Evans, as well as business cards, draft cards, a library card, advertising postcards, and certificates recording honors bestowed on Evans, along with a few personal artifacts such as an engraved penknife, and a card enclosing a handkerchief.

box-folder

17/3

Journal,
22 March 1939-13 June 1939

Extremely detailed handwritten journal of about 70 pages chronicling a trip Evans took to Brazil to investigate cotton production

box-folder

17/4

Notes,
ca. 1955

Handwritten notes and outline by Evans, apparently for an article or speech on cooperatives

box-folder

17/5

Pocket notebooks,
1940s-1960s

Over 20 pocket-sized notebooks and address books containing a wide variety of notes written by Evans

box-folder

17/6

Manuscript,
March 1995

Draft of narrative, containing photographs, by Evans' friend and biographer, W. N. Stokes, about a trip to Big Bend and a visit to an 1889. Draft for Santa Gertrudis Journal's April issue on Briggs Ranches. Cyndy Cowley sent Evans the manuscript for corrections before it was published. Evans made notes and corrections on the draft in red ink.

box-folder

17/7

Address Pages,
undated

Names and addresses in Evans' handwriting

box-folder

17/8-9

Poems, Quotations and anecdotes,
1921-1994 and undated

Miscellaneous anecdotes, quotations, some handwritten on scraps of paper by Evans, poems, newspaper clippings, and typed poetical quotations as well as notes about poems collected by Evans; also a mock letter from the State Comptroller's office concerning reimbursement for the castration and accidental death of a TAMU Dairy bull

box-folder

17/10-11

Published books, booklets, and brochures collected by Evans,
1921-1960s

Two small paperback books: Son, Remember, by the 75th Anniversary Committee of Texas A & M University, a story about Richard Coke; and The Romance of the Ranchos by Palmer Conner, a story about large and/or historical ranches of Los Angeles County, California, containing illustrations and map insert; 1921 Longhorn Yearbook; 1958 phone directory for Farm Credit Banks of Houston; Federal Land Bank of Houston History; brochure stating mission and listing members of the Philosophical Society of Texas; also, a menu for a Society dinner apparently attended by Evans in the 1960s

box-folder

17/12

Calling cards,
undated

Twenty-five business and calling cards placed in a folio. Folio remains in the file; Business cards were removed from the folio. ITEM SEPARATED [held in box/folder 22/2].

box-folder

17/13

Card and Handkerchief,
undated

Birthday card signed "Bess" with envelope addressed to "Katchie" enclosing an embroidered handkerchief.

box-folder

17/14

Certificates and Proclamations,
1936-1999 and undated

Various documents commemorating honors given to Evans including a photocopy of the Certificate of Appreciation as President of the Texas Agricultural Workers Association, letter of appreciation from co-workers at the Internal Revenue Service at Houston, Honorary Membership to the Saddle and Sirloin Club, photocopy of the Stewards Fellowship plaque, Philanthropic Award from the Texas Library Association, Chancellor's Century Council Certification of Recognition, 100th Birthday greeting from George W. Bush, 100th Birthday greeting from Kinney County Chamber of Commerce, Certificate of Appreciation from St. John's Missionary Church in honor of 100th Birthday, Resolution from the Farm Credit Board of Texas, recognition in agriculture from the Texas Academy of Honor in Agricultural Credit.

box-folder

17/15

Draft cards,
1942-1943

Three "Notice of Classification" draft cards for Evans from the U.S. Selective Service. Cards authorized by the signature stamp of "James S. Griffith", member of the local board.

box-folder

17/16

Pocket-knife; small, engraved,
undated

Pocket knife with two blades and engraving that reads "Sterling C. Evans"

box-folder

17/17

Lenses for eyeglasses,
undated

Placed in envelope with handwriting in red ink which reads "This was Mr. Evans first lens after cataract operation. Was replaced on 6-25-71" signed by "D." probably his assistant Dorothy Whitley.

box-folder

17/18

Library card,
1970

The Houston Public Library card for Evans

box-folder

17/19

Postcards,
ca 1955

Advertising postcards by Schiewitz from National Farm Loan Association. A reprint of Chapter XXIV of a Ranchman's Recollections by Frank S. Hastings. Forward states that Evans had it reprinted and sent to "special friends" during Christmas of 1980.

box-folder

23/1

Photographs,
1939-1994.

Various photographs of Evans with family, friends, and business associates.

Series 7. Photographs and Clippings, 1917-2001

Series 7. Photographs and Clippings, (1917-2001) contains many photographs depicting Evans as a businessman, as well as with his family, as well as numerous news clippings detailing aspects of his career.

Scenes depicting cotton gins in South Brazil. Black and white photographs (242) depicting the Brazilian cotton industry, including the clearing of land, as well as picking, transporting and ginning of the cotton. Evans appears in some photographs; some photographs annotated; related to an article Evans published in Progressive Farmer. Two-hundred and forty-two black and white 3 x 5 inch photographs

box-folder

17/24-25

Clippings and published articles,
1938-2003

File contains originals and photocopies including: autographed reprint of article by Margaret Lothrop, 1938; clippings and articles about Brazil, including several articles written by Evans and about perceived cotton industry threat from Brazil, ca. 1939; clipping from Paraguay-Guarani about figurines collected by Evans on his 1939 trip to South America early banking career, ca. 1940s-1960s; awards and honors, ca. 1950s-1960s; Interview with parents, 1961; three issues of Houston Magazine containing stories related to Evans' banking career, 1941-1945; miscellaneous newspaper articles about Evans, 1985-1992; issue of The Cattleman magazine containing story about Evans, accompanied by correspondence concerning it. 1993; miscellaneous articles about Gus Wortham and the Wortham Foundation, 1973-1990; Article about Watler L. Pfluger, a close personal friend of Evans, 1983; news articles concerning life and death of Evans' long-time friend and Texas A & M University alumni, Pat Zachry, 1984; news article and program regarding James Earl Rudder and D-Day commemoration activities in College Station, Tex. 1994; news clippings on various people and events in Castroville, ca. 1985; issue of True West Magazine, with annotation referring to an article on the U-Bar Ranch history ca. 1914, 1968; newspaper clipping about Chagua Martinez, a long-time domestic assistant, ca. 1970s; issue of Bank of Cooperatives newsletter, featuring Evans as a past president, 1983; "The Progressive Farmer" dated Jan. 1945 article on page 9 regarding Evans as "'Man of the Year' in Texas Agriculture", ITEM SEPARATED [held in map case]; "Progressive Farmer and Southern Ruralist" dated Dec. 1939 article on "Tree Cotton in North Brazil by Evans, ITEM SEPARATED [held in map case]; "The Texas Farmer-Stockman" dated Sept. 1964 with picture of Evans on cover ITEM SEPARATED [held in map case]; "The Picture of the Month Club" member's portfolio issued to Helen Thomas, ITEM SEPARATED [held in map case].